Burrell retains title at Phantom nationals

A total of 51 Phantoms turned up at Netley Sailing Club on 31 August for the Ex-Asset Management Advice National Championship

A total of 51 Phantoms turned up at Netley Sailing Club on 31 August for the Ex-Asset Management Advice National Championship.

The race officer set a ‘P’ shaped course for the first race and the fleet got away first time in a brisk breeze. At the windward mark defending champion Allen Burrell led with Pinnell & Bax sailor Nick Beloe in close attendance. Next round was guest sailor Mike Holt who had the Multipower Red Kick boat of Tyler Harmsworth on his transom. At this point the wind increased a couple of forces which made the following legs very interesting. Harmsworth sailed under Holt who was finding the lack of lard a disadvantage on a close reach, and the leading pair took a dip on the run allowing Graham Scott to take the lead.

The next few laps saw the wind strength vary and the lead change hands at nearly ever mark, at the finish Burrell crossed first with Alan Husk second, Harmsworth piped Beloe on the line for third, Beloe then got dragged onto the mark by the tide allowing Scott to take fourth.

Race two was run back to back on the same course and first to the top mark was Harmsworth with Burrell and Phil Argent snapping at his heels. With the tide now rushing out, keeping as close to shore as possible was the order of the day (with the evening spent repairing the tips of centerboards and rudders). Burrell put increasing pressure on Harmsworth and as the race officer signaled a shortened course, found an extra gear and sailed out from under Harmsworth’s cover to take his second win of the day. Argent nursing a slipping main halyard took third with Lyme Regis (venue for the 2002 championship) sailor Dave Guthrie holding off the chasing pack to claim fourth.

Saturday dawned bright but with a light wind another guest sailor Paul Lovesey took a early lead which he held to the finish. Behind him there was a battle royal going on Beloe held off Husk for second with the next four boats entering into a close tacking duel right to the line, Scott took fourth, Burrell fifth with Harmsworth squeezing sixth, half a bow length ahead of newcomer Alistair Warren sailing his new home built boat. Warren led the fourth race from start to finish. Argent was the closest challenger with Burrell in third and Beloe fourth, closely followed by Scott and Lovesey.

As one discard came in Burrell was leading only needing one more top five finish to retain his title for the third time, Beloe , Lovesey and Harmsworth were tied for second with Scott third.

The race officer changed the course to a standard triangle and sausage on the Sunday. Scott a Husk had their own private battle pulling comfortably ahead of the rest and held their positions to the finish.

Race six started on the same course what followed was a test of nerve and patience as the wind and tide did there best to shake things up. Burrell, Scott and Beloe made the best of the conditions while behind them positions changed as first the wind swung one way and then back again. Fulcher and Husk got caught on the wrong side dropping from fourth and fifth resepectavly to 11th and 12th.

At the finish Scott took his second bullet of the day but with Burrell in second it was to be second overall for Scott, with Burrell retaining his title. Beloe took third in the race and third overall, while Husk picked the right side on the last beat and got lifted to fourth in both the race and overall, pushing Harmsworth down to fifth.

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